This is a really good film.
I just watched it for the second time. I had first watched it shortly after its release and my main memory of it was that it didn't make me laugh much despite a cast dominated by top level comedic actors. A decade later I was curious if I might have missed something so I gave it another go.
Sure enough, it still doesn't make me laugh. Not out loud anyway. There are no major funny moments that'll have you breaking up anywhere in the film.
But it did make me smile. Pretty much from start to finish, this movie doesn't elicit laughs, but it does elicit lots of smiles.
Its hard for me to pin it down, but there is something very amicable about this movie. Its full of feel good friendship moments, mostly though not exclusively between Steve Martin and Jack Black's characters who develop a nice friendship as they race across America looking at birds. Rooting not so much for them to see more birds but rather to just have fun becoming best buds. It was fun to watch.
Its an impressive feat if one thinks about it. Its a comedy without major laughs. A story that lacks an antagonist (Owen Wilson's character sort of plays this role but only mildly) or anything important at stake other than the ability of the characters to see some birds. Yet I found myself really engrossed in the story and, as I said above, similing throughout.
The film has received a mediocre reception which I suspect is due to people evaluating it as a comedy due to its cast. But its really best approached as a light hearted drama about confused male friendships. If you go in with that mindset I think you are sure to enjoy it.
I just watched it for the second time. I had first watched it shortly after its release and my main memory of it was that it didn't make me laugh much despite a cast dominated by top level comedic actors. A decade later I was curious if I might have missed something so I gave it another go.
Sure enough, it still doesn't make me laugh. Not out loud anyway. There are no major funny moments that'll have you breaking up anywhere in the film.
But it did make me smile. Pretty much from start to finish, this movie doesn't elicit laughs, but it does elicit lots of smiles.
Its hard for me to pin it down, but there is something very amicable about this movie. Its full of feel good friendship moments, mostly though not exclusively between Steve Martin and Jack Black's characters who develop a nice friendship as they race across America looking at birds. Rooting not so much for them to see more birds but rather to just have fun becoming best buds. It was fun to watch.
Its an impressive feat if one thinks about it. Its a comedy without major laughs. A story that lacks an antagonist (Owen Wilson's character sort of plays this role but only mildly) or anything important at stake other than the ability of the characters to see some birds. Yet I found myself really engrossed in the story and, as I said above, similing throughout.
The film has received a mediocre reception which I suspect is due to people evaluating it as a comedy due to its cast. But its really best approached as a light hearted drama about confused male friendships. If you go in with that mindset I think you are sure to enjoy it.